With this year’s lineup stacked, the 2024 Astros College Classic kicks off this weekend at Minute Maid Park. The Texas Longhorns, LSU Tigers, University of Houston Cougars, Texas State Bobcats, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, and Vanderbilt field the nine-team tournament.
Astros College Classic – Texas State vs. UH Cougars
Conversations with Kenneth Jimenez DH (Jr.) University of Houston, and Cam Thompson (Sr) OF TX State Bobcats
The University of Houston returns to the Astros Foundation College Baseball Classic at Minute Maid for the first time since 2019. I was able to speak with DH Kenneth Jimenez, a recent transfer from Arizona who was recruited by UH last season. As well Cam Thompson (Sr.) OF Texas State University Bobcats. They took on Texas State in the first game to kick off the College Baseball Classic.
Kenneth Jimenez DH (Jr.) University of Houston
Brett Chancey: What are you looking for this weekend? You have some big opponents here at Minute Maid playing LSU, UT, Vandy, TxST, and ULL. This also is your first year in the Big XII; tell me about that. Does it change your mindset?
Kenneth Jimenez: We are just trying to win. We won over great teams, and we just want to play Cougar baseball. It’s business as usual. We stand on business. We just go out and compete.
Brett Chancey: I have to ask, as co-host of Locked on Astros, who your favorite Astros Player is, and what is the best aspect of your game?
Kenneth Jimenez: I like Yordan Alvarez. He’s a great hitter for the Houston Astros. I focus on my ABs; my fielding is there, but my focus is bringing in runs.
Kenneth’s first AB grounded out, advancing the runner to 2B, 2nd AB he popped out to 3B, 3rd AB singled on a line drive to left field.
Cameron Thompson OF (Sr.) Texas State University
Brett Chancey: This is a great tournament and opportunity; with the history of this park, the Astros clinched their 2nd title in the 2022 World Series here as a college player; what’s it like for you as a player?
Cameron Thompson: Just being here, in this atmosphere, getting exposure to it, it makes you want to keep playing, being around the guys and the great competition.
Brett Chancey: What are you guys looking at getting out of this tournament as an individual player?
Cameron Thompson: You know where you’re at early on, and you know as a team where you are at. So, you come out here and work on your weaknesses and your strengths. You get a regional feeling right away. Know where you’re at.
Brett Chancey: What year are you here at Texas State? Where are you from? What are you focused on this year? How do you keep focused now, not thinking too far ahead to the next level?
Cameron Thompson: I’m a senior and a recent transfer. Stay in the present, be in the moment, and enjoy being around your guys. You’ve got to take in the moment and be here. I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I know Alex Bregman.
Thompson’s First AB, he worked the count and his a liner up the middle for the first hit of the day for Texas State. 2nd AB he worked a walk, 3rd AB HBP, 4th AB K.
Game Summary
Universtiy of Houston Cougars took a 1st inning lead 2-0. The Bobcats would claw their way back, scoring 1 in the bottom of the 4th, 2 in the bottom of the 6th, and 2 in the bottom of the 7th, making the score 5-2 to begin the 8th inning. Top of the 8th inning, Houston Native Tre Jones, out of Texas A&M Corpus Christi by way of Jersey Village HS, hit an absolute laser solo Homerun to RF, cutting the deficit 3-5. In the 8th inning, the University of Houston loaded the bases with 0 outs when Alex Lopez, Senior 3B, stepped up to the plate. Alex hit a deep pop out to Right Field for a SC Fly RBI, cutting the deficit 4-5. Then Cameron Nickens Magnolia HS alums hit a laser to left field, scoring two runners. The second runner was initially called out at the plate but was overturned due to an obstruction by the 3B. The inning ended with the Cougars taking a one-run lead; 3 of the four runs were earned.
The game ended in a way that most boys grow up dreaming of: coming back to his hometown park, Chase Mora hit a two-run Walk-Off HR to win the game. The Bobcats downed the Cougars 8-7.
More on Chase Mora is coming in a future article.
Top Pitcher – UH Jaxon Jelkin 5.1 IP, 4h, 2R, 2er, 1bb, 8 so
Top Pitcher – TX State Austin Eaton 5.0 IP, 5h, 2r, 2er, 1bb, 5 so / WP – J. Martinez
Top Hitter – UH – Tre Jones 2 for 5, 1 run, 3 RBI
Top HItter – TX State – Chase Mora 3 for 5, 1r, 4 RBI, 1 HR (Walk-off)
THE HTOWN WHEELHOUSE PLAYER OF THE GAME
CHASE MORA So 2B – 3 for 5, 1R, 4RBI, 1 HR (Walk-off)
Main Image Credit – Brett “Htownwheelhouse” Chancey
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